Symptoms

When running protection for a VMware datastore in AppSync, the service plan fails with an error stating that a snapshot could not be taken for one or more of the Virtual Machines included in the datastore. Failed to create snapshot of virtual machine <VM name>. Using the VI client, attempt to create and delete a snapshot on the virtual machine. Check the ESX and Vpxd logs on the VCenterServer for tasks and events, or alarms.Virtual center service operation failed with error: Creating VM Snapshot failed due to An error occurred while quiescing the virtual machine. See the virtual machine's event log for details.. Using the VI client, check the ESX servers for tasks and events, or alarms. The VMWare VPXD logs may show: info vpxd[7FBD30080700] [Originator@6876 sub=Default opID=262ffabc] [VpxLRO] -- ERROR task-749 -- vm-159 -- vim.VirtualMachine.createSnapshot: vim.fault.ApplicationQuiesceFault:...message = "An error occurred while saving the snapshot: Failed to quiesce the virtual machine."

Cause

A VMware snapshot taken from the vSphere Client was also failing. AppSync utilizes the VMware workflow, "Quiesce guest file system (Needs VMware Tools installed)". If this operation does not work from vSphere then AppSync will not be able to create the snapshot. The user may be able to take a VMware snapshot of the Virtual Machine using the option "Snapshot the virtual machine's memory". AppSync does not use this option. 

Resolution

Firstly, check that an up-to-date version of VMware tools is installed on the Virtual Machine. VMware tools is used to quiesce the filesystem in the virtual machine. If the issue persists, log a ticket with VMware technical support.

Support Cases